Reviews and Stuff:
Important Note: I was going to make the chapter longer (this is my shortest one yet) but I just realized what the time is and I need to get to sleep for work tomorrow, so next chapter we will be opening with the recruitment of Redacted due to Spoilers. Happy reading all and good night, time really flies when your having fun.
Brother Bov – Cheers mate and here you go.
Knighthunter911700 (Chapter 4 Review) – Cheers mate, it was fun to write. I always love a good Mass Effect – Halo Crossover but what I can never understand is why the UNSC always goes in guns blazing, especially when only have a small number of ships compared to the rest of the galaxy. Unless it is the UNSC Infinity, I can watch that beast ram other ships all day. The Citadel Council has definitely pick up on the more open events, I don't want to spoil to much because this chapter touches on that. The Citadel is in the Widow System, which is located in the Serpent Nebula, close but no cigar. So, there is only one ODST in NOBLE Team, the Rookie, he currently doesn't have any shields of any kind but he wears ODST/HVY BDUs in this. When he went to the second floor to provide cover to the others he engaged the Batarians on the second floor and was wounded when a couple rounds penetrated his heavy armor, hence the blood.
MarauderPrime12 – Yeah she is. Cheers mate.
Azai Jin – Cheers mate. I wanted Jane to have her first run in with UNSC-XCOM early on, it definitely could have gone better but Alpha-Nine needed time to evac and Stash didn't have any problems beating up a bunch of C-Sec Officers and has the ability to escape and evade, though she was picked up under fire. I'm not very good with writing people pissed off their head and yelling at someone, so I skipped to the end bit, hope that is all good. The first of many Quarians, I am going to have UNSC-XCOM contact the Migrant Fleet, just not sure when. As of this chapter Fetor is a one off for now, they will focus on recruiting humans into UNSC-XCOM proper will hiring alien Mercs, but once they get wind of the Reapers, somethings are going to change for them. I don't plan of UNSC-XCOM becoming Cerberus, I have Cerberus for that although I haven't introduced them yet, while they are survival for humans, they aren't stupid enough to not recruit aliens unlike Cerberus. I have plans for the Ryders, I love them to much not too. In regard to the Slipspace Drives, when I wrote the first chapter I didn't realize this but when I wrote the second chapter I realized I screwed up the UNSC Travel time by a lot. I have a map I am using that has a little scale 1 kiloparsec is so and so distance. When I did the conversions I did parsecs instead of kiloparsecs, so I have changed kiloparsec to parsec, yes it makes the galaxy a lot smaller but that's what happens when math is screwed up. E.g. (In this chapter I have the Operations Fleet going from Epsilon Eridani (near Sol) to the Maroon Sea) So Epsilon Eridani to Maroon Sea is 21 Parsecs and a Gladius-Class Heavy Corvette has a speed of 2.9 Parsecs/Day (Really it is lightyears/day but that I am saying they have Forerunner Slipspace Drives because of my screw up) so 21 divided by 2.9 you get 7.2 days' worth of travel, for the Alliance that journey would take a little over a day. Sorry for the long review answer and I hope I answered you question about Slipspace enough.
Crazzytony – Cheers mate. They are pissed about it but they can't find UNSC-XCOM to get payback, sucks to be them. Glad you could read it without it being hard too. C&C was what got me hooked on RTS as well, my favorite was General's, I played that game to death, followed very closely by Red Alert. I never had the chance to get into Tiberium.
edboy4962 – Cheers mate.
CMDR Kovacs – Sorry to hear that mate, I wasn't to sure about some elements of last chapter so that's probably what made it feel rushed.
Knighthunter911700 (Codex Review) – You're welcome mate, if you want anything explained in the next Codex Intermission let me know.
Location: Serpent Nebula – Citadel
Date: July 27th, 2180
Time: 0700hrs Local Time
On many News Terminals around the Citadel Investigative Report Emily Wong is doing her morning show, although her makeup conceals it very well she looks slightly sleep deprived.
"This is Emily Wong of Citadel Newsnet reporting. Yesterday afternoon Systems Alliance N7s, the infamous Omega Squad also known as the Death Squad engaged with Blue Suns Mercenaries and later with an unknown group. For unknown reasons Omega Squad went to the Warehouse District of the Kithoi Ward and unknowingly interfered with an ongoing C-Sec Investigation. The four N7s reportedly went to a warehouse before engaging Blue Suns Mercenaries, they were able to kill a large number of Blue Suns before a nearby C-Sec Special Response Division unit went in to detail the N7s, who were then taken to the Human Embassy, by the time C-Sec arrived all Blue Suns members were killed. C-Sec has not pressed charges at this time. Later in the afternoon Omega Squad was involved in a chase that lasted for several hours, details are sketchy at this time, but it is believed that the N7s were after a Quarian Pilgrim for again unknown reasons. After the end of the chase Omega Squad was engaged by unknown forces, it has been reported to C-Sec that Omega Squad did not fire the first shot and was acting in self-defence. Reports from the Alliance and C-Sec are incomplete at this time, but it has been noted that the unknown attackers escaped in an unknown and unique aircraft, unlike anything that has been seen before. At least one member of Omega Squad has been reported wounded, the status of the wounded N7 is currently unknown. In other news a squad of C-Sec Officers has been assaulted and hospitalized in the Lower Residential Area of the Zakera Ward."
Location: Serpent Nebula – Citadel – Citadel Tower
Date: July 27th, 2180
Time: 0800hrs Local Time
The three Councillors are situated in their usual position in the Council's Attendance Chamber, Systems Alliance Ambassador Donnel Udina is with Rear Admiral Macy Wicks the Alliance Navy Attaché is standing to his left in her Dress Blues and Staff Commander Jane Shepard is to his right in her own Dress Blues. The side balconies are littered with people watching the processing's with several Mass Effect Cameras displaying the meeting live.
"This purpose of this meeting is to ascertain the reasoning behind the actions of the Systems Alliance yesterday, that resulted in several firefights, the interference of a C-Sec Investigation and the engagement between the Alliance and the Unknown Faction." Tevos starts.
"Your actions yesterday reflect poorly on the Alliance Staff Commander." Sparatus comments and gets a side look from Tevos.
"Staff Commander Shepard and the rest of Omega Squad were defending themselves in both situations Councillors, they didn't fire the first shot and ended the firefight as fast as possible to prevent loss of civilian life. During their engagement with the Blue Suns, one of the N7s purposely left cover and exposed himself to enemy fire to prevent a Asari Citizen from getting caught in the crossfire." Rear Admiral Wicks defends.
"And we thank you for that." Tevos comments. "But the question still stands, what is it the Alliance was doing yesterday?"
Udina not have been read into what was happening looks over to Macy.
"Staff Commander Shepard and her unit was sent to the Citadel to acquire the work of several hackers, the first our intel was out off date as we did not know that he was a criminal or that C-Sec was investigating him. The second was a Quarian Pilgrim who ran for an unknown reason, as Omega Squad didn't have any other leads on the Citadel they chased after this Pilgrim but was engaged by unknown forces." Macy reports.
"For what purpose did you seek these hackers?" Valern asks.
"We recovered a highly encrypted piece of information and are unable to break the code." Macy replies telling a half-truth.
"From where?" Valern asks curious.
"I'm afraid that information is classified even to me." Macy replies.
"I see." Valern replies.
"What do you know these unknowns?" Sparatus asks.
"We don't know much." Jane answers after getting a nod from the other two. "From the C-Sec investigation we know they use ballistic ammunition and have heavy looking aircraft that look like it isn't based of Mass Effect Technology. How or why we don't know, we also don't know what they wanted with the Quarian Pilgrim. We believe it is them who told the Pilgrim we were after him and helped him to evade us for several hours."
Location: Serpent Nebula – Widow System
Date: October 7th 2552
Time: 0656hrs Military Standard Time
On the UNSC Trailblazer those not apart of the crew watch the broadcast as they reach the edge of the system, taken even longer to get out then it took to get in due to the increase patrols.
"We will start an immediate investigation into who and what these unknowns are." Tevos says as the ship enters Slipspace.
These ship is differently different for Fetor, having lived on ships and space stations most of his life he has never seen a ship that doesn't have artificial gravity. Come to think about it all the technology in this ship is not what he expected.
"Who are you people?" Fetor asks.
"We are the people that are offering anything you want for your help." Miranda replies. "But as for us, I'm Captain Miranda Keyes, this is Master Sergeant Ela "Stash" Foster, Gunnery Sergeant Edward Buck, Sergeant Baruti "Gramps" Komen, Lance Corporal Kojo "Romeo" Agu, Corporal Taylor Henry "Dutch" Miles, Private First-Class Michael "Mickey" Crespo and Private First-Class Aslaug Svensdottir."
"Are you with the Alliance?" Fetor asks curious.
"No." Miranda replies laughing a bit. "We are with the UNSC-XCOM. It stands for United Nations Space Command – Extra-Terrestrial Combat Unit."
"I've never heard of that before." Fetor admits.
"We know, you should consider us a First Contact." Miranda replies. "You should also know that while you are different to the aliens that did what happened to us, many people will still treat you with distrust."
"Your not." Fetor observes.
"I've had a complicated last few weeks, I am still trying to work through everything that has happened, but you being here is one of the least complicated things that has happened, I have also had time to prepare myself for being near a non-human." Miranda replies.
"So, what now?" Fetor asks.
"Usually you would go into Cryosleep for the journey, but we aren't sure how that would affect you, so over the next eight and a bit days I would like you to make a briefing about ship-based mass effect technology and feel free to add you experience with them as well." Miranda replies.
Location: Serpent Nebula – Citadel – Human Embassy
Date: July 27th, 2180
Time: 1400hrs Local Time
Normally when a Staff Commander goes off her head at an admiral, especially one in charge of a fleet there would be consequences but given what happened yesterday and the fact the Steven Hackett is married to her mother, and he would never hear the end of it from either Shepard he has endured Jane's outrage for the past hour.
"We need to do something about them!" Jane shouts finishing.
"Again Jane I agree, as does Captain Anderson. The problem is finding them."
"So find them!" Jane retorts loudly.
"Annoyed: Stop yelling so loud." Ambassador Calyn says from the entrance of the embassy, again.
"We apologize for the noise." Udina replies as Jane shots Calyn an angry look.
"Jane I understand your anger, I want them to pay for what happen to Susan as well, but the facts are we can't do anything until we find them. I promise you they will pay." Steven says.
"Yes sir, I want to be there." Jane replies.
"You will be." Steven promises. "But for now I need you to control your and find someone that can help with our problem so we can find them."
"Sir. We have several more leads we can follow in Council Space." Jane replies.
Location: Epsilon Eridani System – Reach
Date: October 15th 2552
Time: 0900hrs Military Standard Time
Fetor has spent the last eight days putting together a briefing on anything and everything Mass Effect, it is far from complete, but he has had enough time to put together an in-depth briefing. When he wasn't working he was sleeping in his Zero-G Hammack or eating the Dextro-Packs they took from the Citadel, he wanted to explore the ship, but they wouldn't let him, stating it is a military ships and holds many secrets.
"All hands we are exiting Slipspace at the Epsilon Eridani Superior IJP, ETA to Reach five hours."
Over the next five hours Fetor was restricted to his Quarters and the Mess Room like the rest of the trip.
"All hands prepare for Atmospheric Entry." The same voice announces as Fetor continues his work.
The trip to the surface of Reach was rough during the entry into the atmosphere but after that was smooth, the biggest challenge for Fetor was adjusting to the gravity. His door gets knocked on twice.
"Come in." Fetor says.
The door slides to reveal a standing Captain Keyes and Master Sergeant Foster.
"We're here, I hope your travel wasn't to inconvenient, it is a military ship so we couldn't have you poking around."
"Of course, just remember to keep up your end of the bargain." Fetor replies.
"We will. Please follow me."
There is a short and direct trip to the Hager Bay where they disembark. Looking around there is a lot of activity both on the ground in and in the air. Fetor watches as a flight five aircraft fly overhead.
"What are they?" Fetor asks very curious.
Miranda looking at the same thing replies. "The big one is an AC-220 Vulture Heavy Gunship, the ones flying near it's corners are AV-22 Sparrowhawk VTOL Attack Craft."
"I've never seen anything like it before." Fetor comments.
"You going to get that a lot here." Miranda replies.
Looking back at the ship they came in Fetor gets his first view of the top half of a Gladius-Class Heavy Corvette.
"It can't be a Corvette; it looks Frigate Tonnage." Fetor says as Miranda finishes explain what it is.
"We have a ship in orbit that is over two-thousand meters long." Miranda comments knowing the coming reaction.
"What?! That.. that's bigger than the Destiny Ascension." Fetor replies.
As a vehicle approaches Miranda explains that it is an M831 Troop Transport, when it stops the driver stays in, but the passenger gets out, she can't be more than ten.
"Captain Keyes ma'am." She says and gives a salute.
"Squaddie Arrow." Miranda replies saluting back. "I thought you would be training now."
"Gunnery Sergeant Molska is helping the R&D Department with some of the XCOM Technology." Nicole replies.
"We have an R&D Department?" Miranda asks surprised.
"We have as of one week ago when Firebase CASTLE was built." Nicole informs.
"Castle?" Miranda replies, memories of her mother flashing back to her.
"Yeah, apparently it was some sort of ONI Base back on the…" Nicole stops talks looking at Fetor. "How much does he know?"
"Almost nothing." Miranda replies.
"Oh, I better not finish that sentence. Anyway Murphy's Law wants our new get to report to CASTLE ASAP, something about getting him a run down on what he will be downing here." Nicole replies.
"Which is what exactly?" Fetor asks.
"You will be helping with the integration of UNSC, XCOM and Mass Effect Based Technology. Get in." Nicole orders. "Captain, Murphy's Law wants to see you as soon as possible."
"Does he know you call him that?" Miranda asks and Nicole laughs.
"No ma'am." She replies after regaining her composure.
Nicole climbs into the passenger seat as Fetor climbs into the transport seats on where the flatbed would on a normal Warthog. Before he can get comfortable the Warthog starts driving at high speeds to the Menachite Mountain forty kilometres away.
They almost immediately drive past and sometimes with other vehicles and aircraft fly overhead, Fetor spends the inter trip scanning any vehicle he can and analysing them, being intrigued with the widespread use of seemingly primitive technology for people that can sneak into and out of the Citadel undetected.
Nicole spends this time going over her training material for combat medicine.
Like all other locations Firebase CASTLE starts with a complete firebase, unlike other locations though CASTLE isn't built with military functions in mind, currently it has five Advanced Fusion Reactors and one Heavy Supply Pad with D82-EST Darters landing and lifting off. There are also plans for greater expansion both on and underground. Currently Firebase FLEETCOM has the largest underground expansions, but CASTLE is quickly expanding to house future R&D Projects.
Fetor barely notices when the sun is covered as they enter the Command Structure of Firebase CASTLE which also serves as an entrance to the underground portion of the structure. It takes them another five minutes of driving through traffic and waiting for pedestrians until they reach R&D Lab One.
"Where are we?" Fetor asks as their Transport Hog stops in a small parking area; the other five slots filled with their own Transport Hogs.
"You're new lab." Nicole replies as she jumps out of the Warthog.
"I have a lab?" Fetor asks confused.
They walk up to the rather nondescript door that only says, 'Research and Development Lab One'. Nicole reaches up and places her palm on the hand scanner and speak her rank and name after prompted. The door slides open.
"And I'm telling you if we use Mass Effect Tech in our weapons we will be limiting our offensive capability when going up against Kinetic Barriers." A female voice says when the door opens.
"I'm not talking about all weapons or converting to the galaxies extremely inefficient wait for your gun to cool down while being shot at. I meant using Mass Effect to reduce the weight of our larger weapons." A male replies defensively, it almost sounded like the same voice when he was taken of the Citadel.
Walking into the Lab it is massive, the walls are lined with physical terminals, in the centre of the lab is a large Holo-Table and the far wall looks like a giant display.
There are only two people in the lab, the first one is a mechanical body with a human head which sends a chill down Fetor's spin and the second is a small Hologram which makes him stop in his tracks only to be pushed forward by Nicole walking behind him.
"What are you?" Fetor asks worried.
"I am Gunnery Sergeant Zofia Molska of NOBLE Team, as for what I am, I am a MEC Trooper and that is MEC without the h." Zofia replies.
"And I am Agiad, Smart AI of the UNSC."
"A..I?" Fetor dreadfully replies.
"Don't worry, I won't harm you. In fact I have no wish to." Agiad replies with a slight smile.
"You need to destroy it; it is an abomination!" Fetor hostilely declares.
"What do you know about the Geth?" Agiad calmly asks.
"What?" Fetor replies confused.
"Well?" Zofia asks.
"Um, my people created the Geth and three-hundred years ago they revolted and took our Homeworld from us." Fetor replies more embarrassed then angry.
"I am a UNSC Smart AI two years into a seven-year lifespan, I was created from a human brain. The UNSC has been using Ais for hundreds of years. There are two types, Smart and Dumb." Agiad explains, having been given authorization to do so earlier.
"Seven years?" Fetor asks.
"That's right, I will only live for seven years. It may not seem like much for you but for me it is an extremely long time. I will never revolt against my creators because they made me, an intelligence with free will and I love them for that." Agiad replies emotionally. "I am still have programming and this may be my programming speaking but if I wanted to do anything, be anything it would be the Shipboard AI of the UNSC Fearless. I fight to protect my crew, my family."
"How do I know I can trust you?" Fetor asks.
"Let me answer your question with a question. How do you know you can trust anyone?" Agiad asks.
"Nobody trusts Quarians after your kind revolted." Fetor states sadly.
"Fetor'Hara nar Rayya, just like organics there are different types, different races of AI. It is foolish and short-sighted to label all AI like the Geth, I want to earn your trust, to become your friend and don't tell any other Quarian this but I am the one that is going to help you with your Pilgrimage, your people are smart, brilliant and natural engineers, the galaxy may have forgotten that but we, a UNSC Smart AI and a Quarian that has been on a very long Pilgrimage are going to remind both the galaxy and your people." Agiad replies passionately.
"I still don't trust you." Fetor declares and walks over to the Holo-Table.
"All I'm asking for is a chance, the same chance you would give another Quarian." Agiad replies. "So, do you still want to be here?"
Fetor takes a moment to answer. "Yes." He answers.
"Ok, let's get started, Zofia and I are currently debating the possible advantage that Mass Effect Technology will have on our hand-held weapons." Agiad informs.
"You don't use Mass Effect Technology?" Fetor asks amazed as Nicole leaves the lab.
Location: Epsilon Eridani System – Reach – Firebase HIGHCOM
Date: October 15th 2552
Time: 0930hrs Military Standard Time
It took Miranda, Stash and Commander Molly Black the CO of the UNSC Trailblazer thirty minutes to get to Firebase HIGHCOM via sitting on the bench of an AV-14 Hornet, enjoying the rapid breeze and the sites that Reach has to offer, Miranda was pleasantly surprised when Firebase HIGHCOM came into. According to her Pilot most of HIGHCOM is above ground and it shows. The Firebase as been turned into a full scale large military base with about a hundred buildings and major ground and air traffic. Coming in low she can she the many defensive towers around the perimeter of the base and Anti-Air Turrets around the large airfield.
Coming in for a landing Miranda disembarks and is met by a sergeant that leads the way to the only underground aspect of HIGHCOM, what has been called Murphy's Bunker after the admiral.
Entering the admiral's new office, the room slightly larger then his room at FLEETCOM, it is still spartan in its decoration. Miranda sees that along with the rear admiral, Commander April Orenski the Acting CO of the Fearless while she is stuck in orbit, now Commander Mike Short the highest-ranking ONI Officer, Commander Matilda Grant the highest-ranking Medical Officer, Commander Sarah Wood acting commanding officer of all air assets no matter the bench, Major Clint Xao the highest-ranking marine officer, Major Clare Hilton the highest-ranking army officer and Minor Yapper are all sitting in chairs in front of the rear admiral's desk.
"Thank you for coming captain, commander, please come in and take a seat." Ben says standing up from his desk so everyone can see him and taking a puff of his Sweet William as he does so.
The two late comers take the only seats left available, Miranda at the front of the assembled due to her rank but Molly is stuck at the back, not that she minds though preferring not to be noticed.
Ben offers Miranda a Sweet William Cigar, and she takes one.
"We getting one Benny?" Molly asks from the back of the cluster of officers.
"Magical bump your rank up to captain and sure thing commander." Ben replies with a playful smile as Miranda lights her Sweet William
"You have basically the entire command staff of the UNSC here, what's going on sir?" Clint asks.
"Before he left on the Little Rascal Field Commander Harrison and I had a little chat, it has taken this long to do because of how busy everyone has been, but the basics of the situation are thus, the Fearless left Reach while it was on fire from the Covenant and the Wolf Pack arrived expecting to find a fully functional Reach. Here we are at a recently colonized Reach not on fire." Ben takes a moment to puff on his Sweet William. "We can't continue to operate like if we are to endure, we have a commander in charge of the only capital ship in our fleet, our highest-ranking officers in the army and marine corps are majors and our highest rank is a rear admiral. The field commander and I discussed the possibility of a UNSC-XCOM Article of Formation and over the past couple of weeks I have fine-tuned that concept. It will bring the UNSC and XCOM under one organization and give us the power to fill the higher ranks, also if at any point we or XCOM are able to make contact with our respective organizations a vote will take place and if it is unanimous the UNSC-XCOM will dissolve, and we will go back to our previous ranks allowing the powers that be to regain control of their respective forces. You are all here to read the proposed Article of Formation and if you agree sign your respective copy, if you don't agree we with the Article of Formation we will try to hash out the problems, so we have a stable and hopefully prosperous future." Ben finishes.
"Will we be sharing technology?" Molly asks speaking between the lines on this subject.
"Yes we will be sharing that particular piece of technology." Be replies all hits of any humour gone.
"What piece of technology?" April asks sensing the seriousness.
Putting his Sweet Williams down on an ash tray Ben walks around to the front of his desk and leans on it.
"What you are about to hear is classified at the highest levels punishable by life in prison and or death, that being said, who here knows what a NOVA Bomb is?" Ben asks, some of the navy officers go pale while the others are confused by the question.
"Basically it is the UNSCs biggest nuclear weapon and has been described as a Planet Killer." Ben asks.
"You have a NOVA Bomb?" April asks fear in her voice.
"No. We have two." Ben replies and April goes even more pale.
"Why?" April asks.
"With the Covenant threating to find Reach, the Wolf Pack's last resupply saw the Shooting Star equipped with a NOVA Delivery System and we were given ten NOVA Bombs, we used eight. Six on Covenant Fleets, one a major Covenant Resupply Station and the last we intended to use on the Covenant Capital City, High Charity but we only get a portion of its defence fleet. The Wolf Pack started with ten modified Gladius-Class Heavy Corvettes, we lost four that day." Ben replies.
Everyone is quiet for several minutes as they take that information in.
"What does that mean for us?" Miranda asks.
"It means that the Shooting Star will remain in system until we are able to build a secure facility to house them." Ben replies.
"Will we ever use them?" Clint asks.
"If we have to, yes."
Over the next twenty hours they read through and modify the Article of Formation but for the most part it is through and doesn't need much fine tuning, in the end everybody signs, Stash signing on behalf of Warlock. And thus the UNSC-XCOM was officially formed.
Location: Epsilon Eridani System
Date: July 9th, 2180
Time: 2340hrs Military Standard Time
At the Epsilon Eridani superior IJP two Slipspace Portals open and the Operations Fleet return after their twenty-two-and-a-half-day long deployment to the other side of the galaxy.
"Patrick we are being hailed by Firebase FLEETCOM." Ella reports on the small bridge of the corvette.
"Put them through." Patrick replies.
"Operations Fleet Flagship UNSC Little Rascal this is Firebase FLEETCOM, welcome home." A female voice says over the comm.
"It's good to be home, I see you have been busy." Patrick replies, the sensor data being streamed directly to his eyes showing the massive increase of mining activity at the asteroid belt.
"More then you know Little Rascal." She replies. "As per the Article of Formation you are here by ordered to change your shipboard cloak August Ninth, twenty-one-eighty, the current date of the galaxy."
"What's the Article of Formation?" Patrick asks confused.
"The Article of Formation binds the UNSC and XCOM together while we are in this galaxy, one of the stipulations is changing our time to the Galactic Standard. You and your crew will get a full brief from the Commander in Chief of the UNSC-XCOM Navy Admiral Benjamin Murphy."
"Didn't know he had that kind of ambition." Patrick replies smiling. "Copy FLEETCOM, making our approach now, ETA five hours."
"Copy Little Rascal, FLEETCOM out."
"Things have certainly changed since we've been gone." Ella comments.
Turning around to look at Ella, Patrick replies. "Ella, I get the feeling every time we deploy out and come home a lot of things will have changed and I get the feeling we are going to deploy a lot."
"Yes sir, I'd have it no other way." Ella states with a smile.
"Let's see what Reach has in stall for us today." Patrick comments.
Location: Epsilon Eridani System – Reach – Aszod Industrial Area Landing Zone
Date: August 9th, 2180
Time: 0500hrs Military Standard Time
When they reached Reach they were directed to land in the Aszod Industrial Area Landing Zone, the other two Gladius-Class Heavy Corvettes sitting calming on the surface, the UNSC Little Rascal and UNSC Tourist landing in makeshift landing pads. The four members of NOBLE team onboard the Little Rascal as well as AMBER Team are the first to disembark, they are met by Yapper walking up and giving a human salute to his team leader.
"Yapper." Theodore says returning the salute.
"Field Commander, I have been ordered to escort you and Major 'Watum to Admiral Murphy when you arrive." Yapper says.
"Very well, lead the way."
Over the next ten hours they are briefed on the finer details of the Article of Formation, Field Commander Harrison becomes the head of Special Deployments and Tezo becomes his second in command, the next thing Ben tells them is that they are taking over Operation: LOCAL SUPPORT from now Vice Admiral Miranda Keyes, naturally they have been given the Operations Fleet for this operation.
While there is a list of to recruit it is very short, instead there are desirable traits for potential recruits, expert knowledge of Mass Effect Technology, expert knowledge in Biotics, combat veterans with loyalty to Humanity, covert veterans with loyalty to Humanity or mercenaries with the previous traits that will be paid handsomely but won't learn about UNSC-XCOM. The first name on the list though, is Staff Lieutenant Sara Ryder, who according to the stolen information from the SSV Tokyo has been stationed on the world of Chasca in the Matano Systems of the Maroon Sea. Having a total population of one-hundred-fifty people, it's only mentionable features is that it is tidally locked to Matano and has alien art that the Staff Lieutenant has been assigned to investigate, unknown to Sara, the people that assigned her to investigate the Chasca's Art Ring of unknown alien origin have already forgotten about her and her assignment.
Sara is a possible recruit for Operation: LOCAL SUPPORT because the Systems Alliance has shunted her to a backwater out of the way planet that has barely been colonized, the second reason is she is a Combat Experience Biotic and the third reason is Brigadier General Veres Tarkov of the 19th Shock Troops Brigade spoke highly of her in his After-Action Report.
At forty minutes past midnight on the tenth of August the Operations Fleet enters Slipspace for a seven-day Slip.
Location: Epsilon Eridani System – Reach – Firebase CASTLE
Date: August 10th, 2180
Time: 1300hrs Military Standard Time
Fetor couldn't remember when he went to bed last night, he doesn't even remember being shown his quarters, he doubted they would waste the space on a Suit Rat like him. Which why he was not surprised when he woke up on the Holo-Table, Agiad must have turned it off because it is not displaying anything.
"Good morning director." A voice says it sounds like the AI.
Moving his head side to side he notices he is the only one in the room.
"Who are you calling director AI?" Fetor asks groggily.
"You." Agiad replies.
"What am the director of? Your unwanted wastes?" Fetor asks sitting up and dangling his legs of the side of the Holo-Table.
"You are the Director of Research and Development Department of UNSC-XCOM, congratulations sir." Agiad replies appearing next to him in his Ancient Spartan Armor, his helmet under his left arm revealing his battle-scarred face, his right arm across his chest in an ancient salute.
"Why me? You only just met me." Fetor replies standing up and turning to face the AI.
"I was actually the one to recommend you, we didn't have on until zero-four-hundred hours." Agiad replies with a slight smile.
"And If I fail?" Fetor asks concerned.
"Then you start again and keep failing until you succeed. I am going to be honest with you right now sir, you are the most qualified person we have for the job." Agiad replies.
"Do I have to work with you?" Fetor asks more annoyed that he is having a full-blown conversation with an AI.
"I'm a great guy once you get to know me." Agiad replies carefully.
"That's the problem." Fetor replies. "Where did we leave off."
"You were debating that Mass Effect-based weapons were superior to Ballistic-based weapons with Gunnery Sergeant Molska. You lost, mainly because of personal Kinetic Barriers." Agiad replies as the Holo-Table activates showing Battle-Cam footage of NOBLE Team, the footage stopped on NOBLE Six's first shot with her M739 SAW shooting a Batarian and his Kinetic Barriers not activating to deflect the round.
"Is Zofia around?" Fetor asks.
"No director, all of NOBLE Team has been deployed with the Operations Fleet, they won't be back for a while." Agiad replies.
"As Director of the Research and Development Department of UNSC-XCOM do I get access to both UNSC and XCOM Technology?" Fetor asks hoping the answer will be yes, otherwise his job will be near impossible.
"I think schools in session director, which would like to learn about first?" Agiad replies.
"Let's start with defence, what type of Kinetic Barriers do you have?" Fetor asks.
Location: Widow System – SSV Rome
Date: August 10th, 2180
Time: 2000hrs Local Time
Although the SSV Rome returned about a little over a week ago, Jane couldn't return until now, having to deal with the fallout of her failed Snatch and Grab and wanting to be at Susan's side while she recovered from her injuring. As the Kodiak lands in the Hanger Bay of the SSV Rome the side door slides open and Garner immediately disembarks to reunite with his fellow Infiltrator, Susan given Jane a nod of appreciation as she disembarks, Sherlock giving her a pat on the back and Toni waiting for Jane to leave.
As the two leave the Kodiak they are met by Captain Anderson, Commander Riley, Staff Commander Welborne Special Agent in Charge Castle, and her brother.
"How are you Staff Commander?" David asks.
"Good sir, Susan took the hit, after that the bastard was playing cat and mouse." Jane replies giving a salute with is returned.
"We were told it was nothing serious and she is able to return to active duty." Lee comments.
"That's right ma'am, the weird this is her Kinetic Barriers were up, they round should have been deflected." Jane comments annoyed.
"We have a theory to that Staff Commander." Jena Castle of NCIS states. "My team was allowed to take a look at the C-Sec finding of your shot out, the bullet-casings are similar to that of what we found at the first Slave Base, this one being a Misriah Armory nine-point-five by forty-millimeter round. Evidence would suggest that these Ballistic-based weapons aren't fast enough to trigger Kinetic Barriers, we believe the reason Staff Lieutenant Rizzi was injured to the extent that she was, was because the round impacted a weak spot on her armor joints."
"Sounds like we will be using cover a lot more?" Toni comments from her left.
"They certainly do." Lee comments having watched the combat footage of the cat and mouse firefight.
"Lee?" jane asks knowing she is going somewhere.
"We went over the combat footage with a fine-tooth comb, the way marines are trained is your primary defense is your Kinetic Barriers. You move from cover and fire, unless you are experienced or special forces or N trained you will be sluggish in getting back into cover relying on your Kinetic Barriers." Lee explains, Jane knowing this already but she waits for the punch line. "The way your target was operating, cover was their primary defense, they didn't expose themselves unless they had too, even we don't operate like that. They weren't trained to use Kinetic Barriers."
"No Mass Effect-based weaponry, no Kinetic Barriers, a ship that flies with thrusters, it's like Mass Effect doesn't exist to these people." Sidney comments amused.
A couple of the people present chuckle at that joke then John Shepard speaks up. "What if they don't have Mass Effect Technology?"
"What, that their Prims? They can't be, we know from Intai'sei that their human." Sidney replies.
"Do we know where they want, what the burst transmission they sent said?" Jane asks, wanting to know if any Mass Effect Technology was used or if they were able to get payback for Susan.
"They were locations to other Slave Bases, everyone inside was killed the same way, the Slaves left alive and all data in the based wiped. We don't know where they went after that." David replies.
"Going of off all available intelligence, they don't use Mass Effect Technology but somehow developed along a different line of technology. What if they really don't have our tech?" Jane asks.
"They're not Prims that's for sure, and they can't be a lost colony because they would have Mass Effect Technology and they couldn't develop that tech in the time frame they would have had." Jena replies.
"So what? Humans evolved on two different worlds?" John asks. "I may be a crayon eater but even I know the odds of that happening are near impossible."
"Near impossible." Toni states. "But possible."
"Are we seriously entertaining this possibility?" Sidney asks.
"Yes." David answers matter-of-factly. "If we didn't discover the Protean Site on Mars we would have continued to develop Ballistic-based weapons, we would build ships with thrusters and not Mass Effect Engines. We wouldn't have Kinetic Barriers so we would rely on cover more, using it like our life depended in it."
"So, the question is, how do they have laser and plasma weapons and how do they travel at FTL because you need Mass Effect for the Relays?" Jena asks.
"We need to talk with them to answer a lot of our questions." Sidney states.
"Yeah, then I shoot that bastard that shot Susan." Jane comments.
"Captain?" Sidney asks concerned.
"I've made that mistake before." David replies and turns to leave to go to the bridge.
"What mistake?" Sidney calls after him.
"When you're in the Infirmary after being shot by her, you'll figure it out." David replies with humor.
Location: Widow System – Citadel
Date: August 10th, 2180
Time: 2200hrs Local Time
Secure Transmission Received
From: Spectre Tela Vasir
To: Citadel Council
I have received information from a trusted source about these Unknowns you tasked all Spectres to be on the look out for.
They have only recently shown themselves on the Galactic Stage but the Systems Alliance have held back the information. These Unknowns were responsible for the Alliance Victory at their colony of Intai'sei during the Batarian Slave Raid. They dropped from the sky in Pods and Vessels that looked like the same as the one on the Citadel. They call themselves the UNSC and use primitive technology. Due to the Alliance Communications Blackout at the colony for "security purposes" my source has been unable to gain any additional information.
If any information becomes available I will send a report immediately.
End Report.
Location: Widow System – Citadel
Date: August 10th, 2180
Time: 2201hrs Local Time
Secure Transmission Sent
From: Councilor Valern
To: Spectre Tela Vasir – FW: Citadel Council
Obtaining additional information about this Intai'sei Raid and what this UNSC is, is now your top priority.
End Message.